Boulder mosquito pool tests positive for West Nile virus

Jeremy Hutchins, a Field Biologist with OtterTail Environmental, Inc checks for mosquito larvae in a marshy area in open space near off Cherryvale Road in Boulder in August 2011. (file photo)

Mosquitoes in a mosquito pool trapped inside the city of Boulder have tested positive for the West Nile virus, Boulder County Public Health officials confirmed Tuesday.

The WNV-positive pool came from traps at Christensen Park near King Ridge Boulevard and Tom Watson Park on 63rd St.

Boulder County Public Health consumer protection program coordinator Lane Drager said that "wet weather followed by high temperatures creates an ideal environment for mosquitoes to breed. Now is the time to take steps to protect ourselves and our families from West Nile virus."

The "Four D's" of protecting against mosquito bites

Use DEET enhanced insect repellent or an alternative.

DRESS in long sleeves and pants

Avoid the outdoors from DUSK-DAWN

DRAIN standing water outside your home.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans from the bite of an infected mosquito. Health officials said that while most infections are mild, the more serious infections can cause encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain and meningitis, inflammation of the brain lining. It also can led to loss of vision, paralysis, coma, tremors, convulsions and death.

West Nile virus symptoms include fever, extreme fatigue, headaches and body aches. They can also include rashes and swollen lymph nodes.

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Symptoms generally appear three to 14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. Anyone experiencing those symptoms should consult their health care providers.

The Culex mosquito carries the virus, and Drager said two Culex mosquitoes were found among the 67 total mosquitoes trapped at Christensen Park and Tom Watson Park.

Boulder County Public Health officials said positive mosquito pools also have been confirmed in four other Colorado counties this year — two in Weld County and one each in Delta, Mesa and Adams counties.

Colorado Mosquito Control had earlier announced it will be spraying for mosquitoes Wednesday night in neighborhoods in Longmont, Erie and Lafayette — spraying operations that Drager said primarily will address the presence of nuisance mosquito populations in those areas, rather than any confirmed presence of West Nile virus in traps in those communities.

Spraying in the Longmont neighborhood southwest of Colorado Highway 119 and East County Line Road will begin at 9:30 p.m.

CMC also will spray in Erie's Arapahoe Ridge subdivision between 8 p.m. and midnight Wednesday, according to Erie officials and the company. Wednesday night's spraying schedule also includes Lafayette's Blue Heron area.

To report mosquito problem areas in the Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville and Erie neighborhoods or to be notified in advance of Colorado Mosquito Control's spraying schedules in those communities, call 303-558-8730.

OtterTail Environmental is the mosquito control contractor for the city of Boulder and the town of Superior. As of Tuesday morning, OtterTail was analyzing the results of what it found in its mosquito traps on Monday and would post any spraying schedule updates on Tuesday night, an official from that company said.

Drager said on Tuesday afternoon, however, that there reportedly will be no spraying in Boulder this week.

Boulder County Public Health officials said that as of Tuesday, there have been no human cases of West Nile virus reported in Colorado. In 2013, there were 51 cases of the disease in Boulder County.

For more information about the virus, mosquito activity in Boulder County, or steps people can take to protect themselves, visit BoulderCountyMosquito.net or call the Colorado Health Information Line at 1-877-462-2911.

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